25 research outputs found
Voicing vulnerability: mediating violence, victimisation, and female subjectivity in Nora Gomringer's monster poetry
No full textThis chapter examines poetic works by the Swiss-German performance poet Nora-Eugenie Gomringer that draw on monsters as a conceptual lens to engage with experiences of vulnerable subjects, that is, those that have experienced harm or violence or are considered especially susceptible to these risks. The anthology Monster Morbus Moden (2013–17), with its initial collection Monster Poems (2013), reflects poetically on how female subjects and their bodies, which are conventionally represented as weak, are simultaneously and paradoxically considered dangerously non-normative and in need of policing. Gomringer explores how this paradox emerges from the interplay of textual and media surfaces, institutional logic and intersubjective power imbalances. The author employs an experimental mix of intertextual, intermedial and performative strategies that draws attention to the embodied and culturally iterative nature of such subject constructions. Putting emphasis on visualising and voicing victimisation, these works can be seen to probe to what extent a monstrous poeticisation of such experiences might shift stereotyping scopic regimes that produce the conditions for the widespread sexual violence against women or curtail reproductive freedoms. This experimentation, this article argues, seeks to establish awareness around the potential mobility of the concept of ‘vulnerability’ that has also been raised in recent feminist discussions.</p
PEGylation of Membrane Proteins Like Bacteriorhodopsin as a Tool to Increase Their Stability toward Ethanol
No full textProtection of biological compounds, for example, enzymes,
viruses,
or even whole cells, against degradation is very important for many
applications. Embedding of such compounds into polymer matrices is
a straightforward common method. However, in biotechnology and medicine
there is a great interest to prepare micro- and nanosized shells around
the biocomponents in order to protect them and having only a minor
increase in size. The PEGylation of biological macromolecules has
gained attention because degradation by proteolytic enzymes is significantly
retarded and, in turn, their bioavailability is enhanced. We found
that PEGylation is also a powerful tool to protect biomaterials from
degradation by small organic solvent molecules, in particular, ethanol.
Methoxy-polyethylene glycol (MPEG) modified BR survives exposure to
significant concentrations of ethanol, up to 30%, and preserves its
photochromism, whereas unmodified PM is instantaneously denatured
at such concentrations. This is useful for potential technical applications
of BR but is of relevance for many other applications where biomaterials
and, in particular, biomembranes may be exposed to solvents
A New Class of Purple Membrane Variants for the Construction of Highly Oriented Membrane Assemblies on the Basis of Noncovalent Interactions
No full textPurple membranes (PM) from Halobacterium salinarum have been discussed for several technical applications. These ideas
started just several years after its discovery. The biological function
of bacteriorhodopsin (BR), the only protein in PM, is the light-driven
proton translocation across the membrane thereby converting light
energy into chemical energy. The astonishing physicochemical robustness
of this molecular assembly and the ease of its isolation triggered
ideas for technical uses. All basic molecular functions of BR, that
is, photochromism, photoelectrism, and proton pumping, are key elements
for technical applications like optical data processing and data storage,
ultrafast light detection and processing, and direct utilization of
sunlight in adenosine 5′-triphospate (ATP) generation or seawater
desalination. In spite of the efforts of several research groups worldwide,
which confirmed the proof-of-principle for all these potential applications,
only the photochromism-based applications have reached a technical
level. The physical reason for this is that no fixation or orientation
of the PMs is required. The situation is quite different for photoelectrism
and proton pumping where the macroscopic orientation of PMs is a prerequisite.
For proton pumping, in addition, the formation of artificial membranes
which prevent passive proton leakage is necessary. In this manuscript,
we describe a new class of PM variants with oppositely charged membrane
sides which enable an almost 100% orientation on a surface, which
is the key element for photoelectric applications of BR. As an example,
the mutated BR, BR-E234R7, was prepared and analyzed. A nearly 100%
self-orientation on mica was obtained
A New Class of Purple Membrane Variants for the Construction of Highly Oriented Membrane Assemblies on the Basis of Noncovalent Interactions
No full textPurple membranes (PM) from Halobacterium salinarum have been discussed for several technical applications. These ideas
started just several years after its discovery. The biological function
of bacteriorhodopsin (BR), the only protein in PM, is the light-driven
proton translocation across the membrane thereby converting light
energy into chemical energy. The astonishing physicochemical robustness
of this molecular assembly and the ease of its isolation triggered
ideas for technical uses. All basic molecular functions of BR, that
is, photochromism, photoelectrism, and proton pumping, are key elements
for technical applications like optical data processing and data storage,
ultrafast light detection and processing, and direct utilization of
sunlight in adenosine 5′-triphospate (ATP) generation or seawater
desalination. In spite of the efforts of several research groups worldwide,
which confirmed the proof-of-principle for all these potential applications,
only the photochromism-based applications have reached a technical
level. The physical reason for this is that no fixation or orientation
of the PMs is required. The situation is quite different for photoelectrism
and proton pumping where the macroscopic orientation of PMs is a prerequisite.
For proton pumping, in addition, the formation of artificial membranes
which prevent passive proton leakage is necessary. In this manuscript,
we describe a new class of PM variants with oppositely charged membrane
sides which enable an almost 100% orientation on a surface, which
is the key element for photoelectric applications of BR. As an example,
the mutated BR, BR-E234R7, was prepared and analyzed. A nearly 100%
self-orientation on mica was obtained
Transgressive femininity: gender in the Scandinavian Modern Breakthrough
No full textThis PhD thesis deals with how new discourses on femininity and gender developed in
Scandinavian literature during the Modern Breakthrough, 1880-1909. Political,
economic and demographic changes in the Scandinavian societies put pressures on the
existing, conventional gender roles, which literature reflects; however, literature also
created and introduced new discourses on gender.
The main focus has been on transgressive female characters in Danish, Swedish
and Norwegian novels, which I have seen as indicators of emerging new forms of
femininity. The study shows how the transgression of gender boundaries is used in the
novels, when presenting their views on what femininity is, should be or could be. In
addition to analysing the textual strategies in the representation of these ‘deviant’
literary characters, I have examined how the relevant texts were received by critics and
reviewers at the time, as reviews are in themselves discursive constructs.
The theoretical basis of this study has mainly been Michel Foucault’s discourse
theory, Judith Butler’s theory of performativity and Yvonne Hirdman’s theory of
gender binarism. I have also used concepts from several (mainly Anglo-American and
Scandinavian) literary gender theorists and historians in the analyses.
The four novels analysed in this study are as follows: 1) Danish author Herman
Bang’s early decadence novel Haabløse Slægter (1880), where I use a queer theory
perspective. 2) Norwegian author Ragnhild Jølsen’s Rikka Gan (1904), where the
strong elements of pre-psychoanalysis are analysed. 3) Swedish author August
Strindberg’s Le Plaidoyer d’un fou (1887-88), where I make a narratological
examination of the narrative voice from a gender perspective. 4) Swedish author Annie
Quiding’s Fru Fanny (1904), analysed as an example of ‘negative’ New Woman
literature.
The thesis shows how literature of the time represented and introduced new forms
of femininity, often in the form of ambiguous female characters, and often to the
disapproval of the critics. It also shows that gender discourses were much alike within
Scandinavia. Furthermore, my study lays bare the skeleton of normative Breakthrough femininity, what can be called the dominant discourse on femininity at the time: a nonexisting
sexual desire, feminine immobility/containment in the home and an imperative,
self-sacrificing motherliness
Site-selective biomineralization of native biological membranes
No full textBiomineralization of silica precursors, mediated by self-assembled proteins, is performed by many organisms. The silica cell walls of diatoms are perhaps the most stunning biomineral structures. Although the mechanisms of biomineralization are still not fully understood, template-assisted formation of silica nanostructures has gained much attention in the materials science community. Precise control of the location and the shape of structures obtained by biomineralization remains a challenge. This paper introduces a versatile biotechnological process that enables site-selective biomineralization of native biological membranes using genetically modified purple membrane (PM) from Halobacterium salinarum as a template. PM is a two-dimensional crystal consisting of bacteriorhodopsin (BR) and lipids. In this work we study PM-E234R7, a genetically modified PM containing mutated BR, where seven amino acids, starting from E234, were replaced by arginine in the C-terminus. The arginine sequence catalyzes silica formation from a tetraethylorthosilicate (TEOS) precursor. Silicification of the mutated PM variant starts with initial formation of membrane-attached spherical silica nanoparticles, which then fuse to form 2D silica nanoflakes, selectively, on the cytoplasmic side of the PM. Genetical modification of membrane proteins with poly-arginine sequences may be a general route for site-selective biomineralization of native biological membranes
Filgotinib, a JAK1 Inhibitor, Modulates Disease-Related Biomarkers in Rheumatoid Arthritis: Results from Two Randomized, Controlled Phase 2b Trials
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Literacy and the vernacular : a case study based on the post-colonial history of Mauritius, with particular reference to Mauritian Creole
No full textThis thesis examines the process of the literization of the vernacular, and seeks to establish the island of Mauritius as a case study of this process. The concept of literization equates standardization of the vernacular with its use as a written language. Four issues are established as central to this process: ideological, educational, sociocultural and technical.
The thesis investigates the particular sociolinguistic situation of Mauritius, and examines each of these issues in relation to Mauritian Creole. It demonstrates the role that Mauritian Creole plays in Mauritian society, and how, since independence, issues relating to ideology, education, and the cultural and technical aspects of standardization, have been involved in the promotion of the language. The interaction between these issues is apparent throughout the thesis, and manifested in the work of Ledikasyon pu Travayer (LPT), the only organization in Mauritius to provide literacy tuition in Mauritian Creole. The thesis seeks to show that their unified approach to literacy, standardization, and the promotion of Mauritian Creole exemplifies the issues involved, and provides the best basis for the establishment of Mauritian Creole as a standard language.
The analysis of the situation in Mauritius within the framework of wider issues of the literization of the vernacular permits a comparison to other former colonies facing problems of language choice, and places these issues within the wider sociolinguistic context of standardization
The securitisation of the United Kingdom's maritime infrastructure during the 'war on terror'
Get PDFThis thesis examines counter-terrorism efforts in relation to the United Kingdom's ports and harbours (its 'maritime infrastructure') in the context of the 'war on terror'. To do this the thesis utilises the Copenhagen School's securitisation theory as the analytical frameowrk through which a case study, focusing on developments in a five year period between 1 July 2004 and 30 June 2009 and utilising the cases of Felixstowe, Holyhead and Tilbury, is undertaken. The thesis argues that UK maritime infrastructure was securitised in the context of the macrosecuritisation of the 'civilised way of life', which were in a mutually reinforcing relationship. By reorienting emphasis towards the 'post-securitised environment' and on to examining what securitisations 'do' in practice, the thesis subsequently demonstrates the substantial impact of securitisation on the management of UK maritime infrastructure. More specifically it argues that a counter-terrorism security response was evident which constantly evolved, was layered and increasingly expansive in scope and that had a series of prominent, recurring features. The thread which ran through this response was the pursuit of increased power in relation to UK maritime infrastructure, undertaken by the British state and port owners in particular. The thesis concludes by noting how the key findings of the case study progressively demonstrate a greater level of complexity to the securitisation of UK maritime infrastructure than can at first be apparent
A sex/gender perspective on interventions to promote children's and adolescents' overall physical activity: Results from genEffects systematic review
Get PDF© 2020 The Author(s). Background: To evaluate the effects of interventions on children's and adolescents' overall physical activity (PA) for boys and girls separately and to appraise the extent to which the studies haven taken sex/gender into account. Methods: Systematic review and semi-quantitative analysis. Eleven electronic databases were searched to identify all relevant randomized and non-randomized controlled trials. Studies had to report overall PA as the main outcome to be eligible for inclusion in the review. The main outcomes of the studies is a quantified measure of overall PA. Additionally, all studies had to report sex/gender disaggregated overall PA at baseline and/or follow up and/or explain how they dealt with sex/gender during outcome analysis (i.e., sex/gender adjusted analyses) and/or report that there were no differences in the outcome when looking at sex/gender. PRISMA guidelines were followed. Two authors independently screened studies for eligibility and assessed the risk of bias. Semi-quantitative analyses were conducted to evaluate intervention effects, taking into account the extent to which studies have considered sex/gender aspects. To evaluate sex/gender considerations in primary studies, a newly developed sex/gender checklist was used. The study was registered previously (registration number CRD42018109528). Results: In total, 97 articles reporting 94 unique studies with 164 outcomes for overall PA were included in the present review. Average sample size was 829 participants, ranging from five to 9839. Participants' ages ranged from three to 19 years. Our review shows that overall 35% of PA outcomes had significant effects in increasing overall PA of children and adolescents. Not including single sex/gender studies, 105 out of 120 PA outcomes resulted in same intervention effects for boys and girls. The interventions reported to have similar effects on PA outcomes for boys and girls showed higher quality of reporting sex/gender aspects of measurement instruments, participant flow and intervention content and materials than PA outcomes with effects only in boys or only in girls. Overall, consideration of sex/gender aspects in intervention studies is low. Conclusions: There is still a need to address sufficient consideration of sex/gender aspects in developing and implementing interventions in the context of PA
